Stamping press



Oct. 16, 1956 F. A. BRANDES STAMPING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 11. 1951 Oct. 16, 1956 F. A. BRANDES 2,766,710

STAMPING PRESS Filed Dec. 11, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 16, 1956 BRANDES 2,766,710

STAMPING PRESS Filed Dec. 11. 1951 5 She'ets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FRfi/VK H 520N055 F. A. BRANDES STAMPING PRESS Oct. 16, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. ll, 1951 BY Y s E MM m a. ER W W5 1 R, n j inj u l M a I a .3 w Q m i 111 F. W m hv A m 8 J u i mm S u NQ 8 1 cm ww -H Oct. 16, 1956 A. BRANDES 2,765,710

STAMPING PRESS Filed Dec. 11, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 "Ii-"l" i i INVENTOR. fkq/vk H BEAM/D55 United States PatentC) STAMPING PRESS Frank A. Brandes, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application December 11, 1951, Serial No. 261,118 3 Claims. c1. 113-38) of a novel floor type power press of the character referred to which is relatively compact, light in weight and inexpensive to manufacture, but which is rugged and durable and is so designed that the power for actuating the tool carrying movable member or crosshead is applied thereto at spaced points throughout its length thereby avoiding distortion and misalignment of the tools attached thereto while permitting the use of a crosshead of relatively light construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved floor type power press of the character referred to having box-like bed or frame including an elongated table or stationary tool support for receiving one or more tools, such as dies, an elongated upper or outer movable press member or crosshead to which one or more tools, such as punches, can be attached for cooperation with the tools carried by the bed or frame, an inside or lower crosshead guided by reciprocal linear movement within the frame and connected to the outer or upper tool-carrying crosshead by a plurality of members located along opposite sides of the press, and power means to reciprocate the crossheads as a unit comprising a plur'ality of crankshafts spaced longitudinally of the press and rotated in unison and connected to the inside or lower-crosshead at spaced points whereby the outer crosshead or movable tool-carrying member will remain paral lel throughout its working stroke even though it is all relatively light construction and the tools carried thereby will in turn be free of distinction and misalignment with the stationary tools carried bythe frame.-

The invention resides in'certain constructions and com-,

binations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanyin drawings, in whieh'similar reference Cl'l'IBICf'fS designate corresponding parts, and in which,

Pig. 1 is a perspective view of a"power pr'ess' embodying the invention and showing the front side thereof;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the punch press shown in 'Fig. 1 showing the rear side thereof; 7

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig.- -4"is a sectional view taken substantially along line of Fig; 3, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view with portions in elevation taken substantially along. line 5- -5' of Fig.6;

2,766,710 F'atented Oct. 16, 1956 As mentioned previously, the invention is particularly useful in power presses for forming large articles from sheet material or for forming articles by a multiplicity of forming tools during a single stroke of the crosshead, such as by a series of aligned sets of punches and dies, arranged to act successively on given areas of sheet material during successive strokes of the crosshead, and to illustrate the invention there is shown a press specifically designed to utilize progressive punches and dies similar to those disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,539,807. The press shown comprises a generally rectangularly shaped box-like frame A adapted to be supported on a floor and having an elongated support or table 10 at the upper part thereof to which dies, not shown, can be attached in conventional fashion. An outer or upper crosshead B, which is generally rectangular and elongated to correspond to the table It is located above the table and is reciprocated toward and from the table by power means, described more fully hereinafter. The crosshead or movable press member B is arranged to support one or more punches, not shown, which cooperate with complementary dies carried by the table 10 to shape sheet metal fed therebetw'een and preferably a number of cooperating punches and dies are attached to the crosshead and table whereby several shaping operations are performed during each stroke of the crosshead and the sheet material is successively moved from one set of dies to the next intermediate each working stroke of the crosshead.

The power means for operating the crosshead B cornprises a generally horizontal lower crosshead C located within the frame A adjacent to the bottom thereof and arranged to be reciprocated vertically. The crosshead C is guided in its vertical movement within the frame A by a plurality of members 11 each having a pair of spaced vertically extending guideways 12, 12' thereon. The members 11 are U-shape as viewed from either the front or rear sides of the press and are attached to the frame A by bolts 13 and suitable means, such as bolts 14 threaded in the frame walls and engaging the members 11, are preferably provided to adjust the position of the members engaged thereby relative to the sides of the frame. The crosshead C has grooves 15 therein the sides of which engage the sides of the guideways 12, 12 respectively. The guideways 12, 12 and the grooves 15 are preferably V-sh'ape in cross section. The construction of the guideways for the crosshead C in the manner shown provides for an exceptionally long travel thereon by the crosshead, and as seen in Figs. 3 and 5, the guideways 12, 12' extend almost to the floor. It will be noted that guideways are provided at or adjacent to the ends of the crosshead C and the construction is such that the crosshead is accurately guided in its vertical movement and will have considerable resistance to canting stresses.

Preferably, the cross-head C has crisscrossing rib formations 16 which provide a maximum of rigidity with a minimum of weight.

The driving mechanism for the crosshead C, as shown, includes a pair of crankshafts 17, 18 journaled in suitable bearing structures in the sides of the frame A, two of which bearing structures are shown at 19, 20. The crankshafts are located above and extend across the crosshead C adjacent to the ends thereof. The crankshafts 1 7, 1 3 are driven in synchroni'sm by a pair of meshing bull gears 21, 22 which are attached to ends of the respective crankshafts which project from the rear side of the frame A, and the bull gears have a one-to-one ratio so that the shafts are driven in opposite directions at equal speeds. The gear 21 is driven by a pinion 23 of a suitable power mechanism, not shown, but which may be of any well known construction. Preferably, the power mechanism includes a clutch and brake controlled by a pedal, not shown, to drive the bull gears through one complete;

3 revolution each time the pedal is depressed by the press operator. Such power drives are well known and it is therefore not deemed necessary to show the details thereof here.

The eranks'h afts extend between the leg portions of the U-shaped members 11 and the construction of such that the ways 12, 12' extend vertically on opposite sides of the crankshafts thus providing longer ways for the crosshead than would otherwise be possible and assuring more accurate movement of the crosshead.

The crankshafts 17, 18 each has a crank 24 which is midway between the sides of the frame "and which is connected with the crosshead C through a connecting rod or pitman 25 journaled thereon. Each of the pitmans 25, as shown, comprises a heavy screw 26 having the head 27 thereof rotatably secured to a two part bearing box 28, which surrounds the crank 24, by a member 30 affixed to the bearing box by screws 31. The lower end of the screw 26 is threaded into a bearing member 34 through which a short shaft 35 secured in the crosshead C projects. The screw 26 is rotatable by a member 36 affixed thereto and having holes for the reception of a spanner wrench. By rotating the screw one way or the other the effective length of the pitman can be adjusted. The screw 26 is locked in adjusted position by a member 37 bolted to the bearing member 34. The crosshead C has apertures 4t), 41 adjacent to opposite ends thereof and the shafts 35 are secured in the crosshead C and extend transversely of the respective apertures, which receive the respective pitmans 25.

The crank portions 24 of the crankshafts 17, 18 are at their upper positions at the same instants so that although the cranks rotate in opposite directions the movement of the cro'sshead C by the pitmans 25 will be uniform, and by properly adjusting the screws 26, the crosshead can be adjusted to move in a plane precisely normal to the guide ways on the members 11.

Although only two crankshafts are shown, one or more additional crankshafts could be employed depending upon the length of the crossheads employed etc. An additional pair of guide members 11 are preferably employed for each additional crankshaft.

The crosshead C is attached to the upper crosshead B by a plurality of rods 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51, which project through the table of the frame A and are each guided by a split tapered sleeve 54 slidably supported in a tubular member 55 fixed in the table. The upper ends of the split sections of the tapered sleeve 54 are cylindrical and have threaded engagement with a member 56 surrounding the associated rod and located above the table. The construction is such that as the member 56 is rotated, the tapered sleeve 54 is moved within the cylindrical member 55 and by virtue of the cooperating tapered surfaces therebetween, the sections of the sleeves 54, of which there are preferably three, are adjusted inwardly or outwardly with respect to the respective connecting rod which projects therethrough, depending upon the direction of rotation of the members 56. Those portions of the rods 44 to 51 between the top of the table 10 and the underside :of the upper crosshead B are preferably provided with telescopic guides, designated generally at 57, which guides prevent the rods from being marred, etc. i

The rods 44 to 51, as shown, are substantially equally spaced along the opposite longitudinal sides of the crossheads B and C, and they are preferably connected to the crosshead C in openings which are formed through portions at the juncture of the ribs 16. By this construction the connecting rods 44 to 51 effect a vertical pull on the cnosshead B with the pulling force distributed therealong, and although the crosshead Bis relatively long and of lightweight construction substantial force can be applied thereto without distortion of the cross head and misalignment of the punches and dies. Any number of rods other than that shown may be employed if desired,

depending upon the length of the press and the work for which it is designed. I

The crosshead assembly, including the upper and lower crossheads B and C, and the rods 44 to 51 interconnecting the same, is counterbalanced by a plurality of springs 60 operatively connected to the frame of the prms and to the lower crosshead adjacent the corners of the latter. The springs 60 are interposed between washers 61 held in position on the upper ends of vertically extending rods 62 by nuts 63 and tubular support members 64 bolted to the frame A. The rod 62 projects downwardly through the supporting members 64 and the lower ends. thereof are adjustably connected by nuts 67 to bosses 68 formed integral with the lower cross'head C.

The press shown is provided with chutes 70 and roll feed mechanism indicated generally at E, located at both ends of the table 10. This feed mechanism is of conventional construction and is pivotally connected to the frame A in such a manner that it can be easily and quickly swung out of the way when setting up the machine.

The roll feed mechanism is arranged to feed strip material to the dies between each working stroke of the press and top trolls thereof are provided with lifting devices actuated by arms 71 which lift the top rolls just as the rolls are through feeding, thus leaving the metal strip being operated upon free to be located by pilots on the table. The feed rolls are adapted to be rotated by an adjustable crank mechanism F connected to the forward end of the crankshaft 17 as viewed in Fig. 1. The adjustable crank F provides means for obtaining feeds of different lengths.

Preferably, a pneumatically operated hold down mechanism, indicated generally at G, is provided which may be of conventional. construction and in the interest of clearness, the feed mechanism and the hold down mechanism are omitted from the views other than in Figs. 1 and 2, and the details thereof are not described nor shown.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it wiH be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished, and that a novel and improved floor type power press of the character referred to has been provided having means for applying power to the tool carrying crosshead by a plurality of cranks whereby the crosshead although relatively light in construction can be employed to form large areas of sheet metal during one stroke thereof. With the construction shown, it will be readily apparent that little if any strain is placed upon the upper crosshead other than a direct vertical pull and that the overall dimensions and weight of the press frame can be main tained at a minimum in proportion to the amount of force delivered by the upper erosshead.-

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

L'In a press of the character described an elongated box-like frame having a generally elongated rectangular tool supporting surface, a first crosshead spaced from said tool supporting surface and being generally co-extensive therewith, said tool supporting surface of said frame and the side of said crosshead adjacent thereto being adapted to support cooperating dies and punches for relative reciprocation towards and from each other in a linear path, a second .crosshead located within said frame and comprising an elongated rectangular integral member generally co-extensive with said first crosshead, way means on a plurality of the sides of said second crosshead and the interior of said frame for guiding said second crosshead in a path of movement parallel with said linear path, a plurality of members integrally connecting said first and second crossheads for movement as a unit, said members being spaced along and fixed to the opposite elongated sides of said crossheads with at least one of said members on each of said sides being positioned between two other such members on the same side, a plurality of parallel crankshafts rotatably supported in said frame intermediate.

said first and second crossheads, said crankshafts extending transversely of the length of said frame and being spaced longitudinally thereof and for each crankshaft a group of said way means symmetrically disposed with respect thereto, pitman means connecting said crankshafts to said second crosshead, and means for rotating said crankshafts in predetermined timed relation.

2. In a press of the character described an elongated box-like frame having a generally elongated rectangular tool supporting surface on the top thereof, a first crosshead spaced above said tool supporting surface and being generally co-extensive therewith, said tool supporting surface of said frame and the side of said crosshead adjacent thereto being adapted to support cooperating dies and punches for relative reciprocation towards and from each other in a linear path, a second cross head located within said frame and comprising an elongated rectangular integral member generally co-extensive with said first crosshead, Way means on a plurality of the sides of said second crosshead and the interior of said frame for guiding said second crosshead in a path of movement parallel with said linear path, a plurality of rod-like members integrally connecting said first and second crossheads for movement as a unit, projecting through the top of said frame and being spaced along and fixed to the opposite elongated sides of said crossheads with at least one of said members on each of said sides being positioned between two other such members on the same side, a plurality of parallel crankshafts rotatably supported in said frame intermediate said first and second crossheads, said crankshafts extending transversely of the length of said frame and being spaced longitudinally thereof and for each crankshaft a group of said way means symmetrically disposed with respect thereto, pitman means connecting said crankshafts to said second crosshead, and means for rotating said crankshafts in predetermined timed relation.

3. In a press of the character described an elongated box-like frame having a generally elongated rectangular tool supporting surface, a first crosshead spaced from said tool supporting surface and being generally co-extensive therewith, said tool supporting surface of said frame and the side of said crosshead adjacent thereto being adapted to support cooperating dies and punches for relative reciprocation towards and from each other in a linear path, a second crosshead located within said frame and comprising an elongated rectangular integral member generally co-extensive with said first crosshead, way means on a plurality of the sides of said second crosshead and the interior of said frame for guiding said second crosshead in a path of movement parallel with said linear path, a plurality of members integrally connecting said first and second crossheads for movement as a unit, said members being spaced along and fixed to the opposite elongated sides of said crossheads with at least one of said members on each of said sides being positioned between two other such members on the same side, a plurality of parallel crankshafts rotatably supported in said frame intermediate said first and second crossheads, said crankshafts extending transversely of the length of said frame with one of said crankshafts being located between two adjacent ones of said members at both of said sides of said crosshead, and for each crankshaft a group of said way means symmetrically disposed with respect thereto, pitman means connecting said crankshafts to said second crosshead, and means for rotating said crankshafts in predetermined timed relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,373,571 Smith Apr. 5, 1921 1,910,534 Glasner May 23, 1933 2,120,356 Glasner June 14, 1938 2,375,398 Wilkins May 8, 1945 2,532,320 Maussnest Dec. 5, 1950 

